Any question answered...

Break it down into as few sticky-outy bits as possible (pedals off cranks etc), tie together as best as you can and then attach to a rucksak - preferably a decent rucksack with a hip belt and back padding.

Done it a couple of times, but if memory serves the main advantage was simply having the folly of youth on my side - it's not comfortable or ideal but definitely doable.

Or as tester says, just push it beside you with a hand on the bars or stem (at least I think that's what he means).

I've carried and ghosted bikes, ghosting was better until it went wrong once, carrying was a more painful experience all round but overall better than getting tangled up in a couple of bikes, probably would've hurt more if I'd have fallen off like that though. Either way is fine for a short, ideally quite stretch.

Personally, unless long battery life is important, I'd get a slightly older refurbished laptop. They are nicer to use than the equivalent priced new laptop and generally better specs.

This happily runs smart notebook for instance and is pretty lightweight but tough
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/354359481900
I don't know that seller, I got one of these from ITZoo but they seem to have bumped the prices right up.

Anyone on here familiar with the Garmin SDK?

I'm looking for a guide to get started - not planning to write an app properly, but just to figure out how to extract some data from sensors at their maximum sampling rate. So any resources other than the Garmin website itself would be welcomed.

ChatGPT can be very helpful...

asking it to "write a python program using the Garmin SDK to collect heart rate data from a chest strap at maximum sampling rate"

gives

Here's an example of a Python program that uses the Garmin SDK to collect heart rate data from a chest strap at maximum sampling rate:

import garmin_sdk

# Connect to the Garmin device
device = garmin_sdk.Client().get_devices()[0]

# Start the heart rate monitor
device.hrm_start()

# Get the maximum sampling rate
sampling_rate = device.hrm_get_sampling_rate()

# Collect the heart rate data
heart_rate_data = []
while True:
    heart_rate = device.hrm_get_heart_rate()
    heart_rate_data.append(heart_rate)
    time.sleep(1 / sampling_rate)

# Stop the heart rate monitor
device.hrm_stop()

# Save the collected data to a file
with open("heart_rate_data.txt", "w") as file:
    for data in heart_rate_data:
        file.write("%s\n" % data)

This code assumes that you have already installed the Garmin SDK and that you have a Garmin device connected to your computer. The garmin_sdk library is used to communicate with the device, and the hrm_start and hrm_stop methods are used to start and stop the heart rate monitor. The hrm_get_sampling_rate method is used to get the maximum sampling rate, and the hrm_get_heart_rate method is used to get the current heart rate. Finally, the collected data is saved to a file named heart_rate_data.txt.

then "rewrite the above using Java"

Here's an equivalent program written in Java that collects heart rate data from a chest strap at maximum sampling rate using the Garmin SDK:

import com.garmin.fit.*;

// Connect to the Garmin device
Device device = GarminDevice.getDevice();

// Start the heart rate monitor
device.hrmStart();

// Get the maximum sampling rate
int samplingRate = device.hrmGetSamplingRate();

// Collect the heart rate data
List<Integer> heartRateData = new ArrayList<>();
while (true) {
    int heartRate = device.hrmGetHeartRate();
    heartRateData.add(heartRate);
    try {
        Thread.sleep(1000 / samplingRate);
    } catch (InterruptedException e) {
        break;
    }
}

// Stop the heart rate monitor
device.hrmStop();

// Save the collected data to a file
try (BufferedWriter writer = new BufferedWriter(new FileWriter("heart_rate_data.txt"))) {
    for (int data : heartRateData) {
        writer.write(Integer.toString(data));
        writer.newLine();
    }
} catch (IOException e) {
    System.err.println("Error saving data to file: " + e.getMessage());
}

What a time to be alive... :)

Thank you!

Can you remove the front wheel and attach the forks to a rack somehow?
You have a rack of course. Or if it’s truly a beater maybe even spread the forks enough to fit onto your rear axle.

For 14 miles, I'd be inclined to go by public transport and ride back (if rideable obvs).

For 14 miles, I'd be inclined to go by public transport and ride back (if rideable obvs).

Yup, gonna aim for a train now and cut that down to 5 miles.

That looks absolutely ideal tbh. £200 and less stressful than lending her my MacBook Pro like she suggested.

My monitor goes to sleep after a few seconds when plugged into a Mac laptop but not a Windows one. Tried everything obvious including changing the hdmi cable. Anything else to try before buying a new monitor?

This was happening to me when I was using a USB-C -> HDMI cable, and stopped when I moved to using a powered USB hub. This is the one that I've got (https://www.anker.com/uk/products/a8380?variant=37340052258980&discount=WS7DGEM2PI) but I'm guessing any powered hub would do.

I have one which I updated to Windows 11 (probably didn't need to but it was free and I thought better to do it straightaway) and it runs Smart Notebook fine.

USB C charging so cheap to get a spare charger as well.

Sounds like Windows doing this. Check in the Power and Sleep settings, you can change the time it takes to turn off the screen.

It's monitor specific, the Phillips I am plugged into now stays awake no problem, the other, no name brand falls asleep.

Issue resolved

I need a new chain. 11 speed Shimano compatible. Is it remotely worth getting a posher/more expensive one or will anything KMC be fine? Weight isn't a concern, durability is.

anything KMC be fine

Surely.

Anything KMC will be fine, but I think I’d recommend not getting the absolute cheapest ones

I have been using these Decathlon ones for years, rebranded KMC, £15.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/11-speed-bike-chain/_/R-p-300692?mc=8404869

Cheap and often for chains, a few grams or triple the price for a third more miles that you could achieve more through care is a mugs game.

Although the shimano hyperglide+ MTB stuff shifts amazing under load, I've not tested it enough to say you definitely need to match rather than mix but I'm convinced enough to never bother saving a couple of quid on that chain.

I quite dislike chains with hollow anything these days, but especially plates.

I went for a KMC X11 in the end. Exciting stuff! I might pick one of those decathlon ones up next time I'm passing as a spare.

1. 110mm
   
2. 17 degree
   
3. black
   
4. not-insanely-expensive integrated wahoo mount
   
   

Who makes it, and where do I get it for half price?